U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana

Web Exclusive: Lozano Bar supports Latino lawyers with personal, professional resources

February 17, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Shared experiences bring people together. That’s particularly true of the members of the Rudy Lozano Bar Association, a northwest Indiana group dedicated to serving Latino legal professionals. Formerly known as the Northwest Indiana Hispanic Bar Association, the group filed articles of incorporation under its new name in February 2020. Its namesake is the late federal Judge Rodolfo “Rudy” Lozano, who died in July 2018.

Farmworkers awarded $460K in wage theft, labor trafficking judgment

February 12, 2021 | Dave Stafford

A northern Indiana federal court has ordered a farm in Fowler and its owners to pay more than $460,000 in compensation and damages to nine farmworkers who alleged they were forced to work without pay, housed in abysmal conditions and threatened, among other claims.

Indiana Southern District to resume in-person jury trials in April

February 12, 2021 | IL Staff

The Southern Indiana District Court has announced plans to resume in-person jury trials in April following a months-long hiatus due to the pandemic. Jury trials in Southern District courts are expected to resume April 5, and clerk offices in all divisions will reopen to the public next week.

Maley: Senior status for Springmann, Flaum creates vacancies

February 3, 2021 | John Maley

Rules governing divisional jurisdiction vary in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, as illustrated by some recent rulings.

Suspended attorney sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for tax evasion

January 25, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

A former Schererville personal injury and medical malpractice attorney who pleaded guilty to tax evasion has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. The attorney, who was suspended from the practice of law last year, also was ordered to make restitution of more than $1.7 million.

7th Circuit extinguishes fraudster-arsonist’s appeal

January 25, 2021 | Olivia Covington

A convicted insurance fraudster whose M.O. was arson has lost his appeal of his mail fraud convictions, with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rejecting his argument that evidence of arson was improperly admitted at his fraud trial.

Hammond man facing federal drug sentence charged in Capitol breach

January 22, 2021 | Associated Press

A Northwest Indiana man charged with participating in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol could face trial in Washington on misdemeanor counts. The man had been awaiting sentencing in a separate case involving gang-related drug conspiracy charges.

Northern District seeking new clerk as Trgovich to retire

January 18, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana is accepting applications for a new clerk of court in anticipation of a vacancy in the post this summer. The current clerk, Robert N. Trgovich, has announced he will retire this summer.

Southern District jury trial suspensions extended till April

January 14, 2021 | IL Staff

The Indiana Southern District Court has suspended jury trials for an additional month, further delaying in-person trials through April 5 as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The announcement came as the federal court chief judge cited “signs of increased coronavirus spread and evidence of resurgence.”

Former Whiting mayor who stole money to gamble avoids prison

January 14, 2021 | Associated Press and IL Staff

A former Whiting mayor who pleaded guilty to charges that he spent about a quarter-million dollars in campaign funds to gamble and pay personal bills avoided prison on Wednesday when a federal judge ordered he be placed on two years’ probation and home detention for one year.

Despite tech, court reporters say they’re here to stay

January 6, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Even as digital recording is grows, charged sentiment surrounds the use of artificial intelligence in court reporting, industry experts say. According to some, there’s a middle ground to be found: embracing technology to increase efficiency while also relying on humans for nuance.

7th Circuit: Injured worker not qualified individual under ADA

December 31, 2020 | Katie Stancombe

The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a ruling that a woman fired from her job after a spinal injury was not a qualified individual under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

7th Circuit rejects ‘aging out’ of crime argument in gun sentence appeal

December 30, 2020 | Katie Stancombe

A man convicted of possessing a firearm as a felon who alleged he was “aging out” of crime did not convince the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday that his above-guidelines sentence should be reversed.

Year in Review: COVID-19 changed our lives, dominated 2020 news

December 23, 2020 | Dave Stafford

Despite a landmark election, a Hoosier’s appointment to the United States Supreme Court and countless major developments in the Indiana legal community, this year belonged to the coronavirus, Indiana Lawyer’s top story of 2020.

7th Circuit affirms $0 judgment after previous ‘outrageous’ award of $1M

December 21, 2020 | Katie Stancombe

A man who was initially awarded $1 million by a jury for a run-of-the-mill car accident case will have to stick with the zero-dollar judgment he asked for in a new trial after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana found the original verdict to be “outrageous.”

Southern District suspends in-person trials till March

December 16, 2020 | Olivia Covington

The Indiana Southern District Court has suspended all in-person jury trials until next year, a move announced just days after the Indiana Supreme Court implemented the same restrictions in state court due to the pandemic. Federal in-person jury trials in the Northern District also have been continued until at least late January.

Feds seek 15-month prison term for former Whiting mayor

December 16, 2020 | Associated Press

Federal prosecutors are recommending a 15-month prison sentence for the former mayor of Whiting, who pleaded guilty to fraud and a tax crime.

Unwanted exposure: In right of publicity suits, models seek damages from adult clubs they say used images without permission

December 9, 2020 | Katie Stancombe

Professional models from across the globe are suing four Indiana strip clubs for using their photos without permission to advertise establishments located in Fort Wayne, Hammond and Indianapolis. The models are invoking Indiana’s Right of Publicity Statute, one of the strongest such laws in the nation.

Senate Committee holds Kirsch’s nomination to succeed Barrett

December 4, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

The Senate Judiciary Committee held consideration of Thomas Kirsch’s nomination until its Dec. 10 meeting, putting the U.S. Attorney for the Northern Indiana District’s confirmation to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in a tight race against the clock.

Federal courts invite families to celebrate Bill of Rights through virtual event

December 2, 2020 | IL Staff

As courts nationwide are celebrating the anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution’s first 10 Amendments during the month of December, families are invited to join in during a Wednesday evening event.

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